One of the most prominent voices in world cricket, legendary Sachin Tendulkar, has called for an end to the infamous impact player rule which has been in existence since the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Like many, Tendulkar also feels that the impact player rule leads to imbalance in a format where bowlers are already challenged enough.
"I feel there are a few things which, on a personal note that I can say, I think the impact player needs to go away," Tendulkar said, speaking at the ESPNcricinfo awards.
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"I feel when in a T20 format you just have to play 20 overs, and then you are adding one more batter to that line-up. Where bowlers are already being challenged, I find that imbalance."
Split the powerplay, 2nd in bowling side’s favour
In addition, Tendulkar made a few other suggestions to make T20s more competitive and slightly in favour of the bowlers. Like the Australia's Big Bash League (BBL), he wants the first powerplay over to be four overs instead of the traditional six. In addition, he wants the fielding team to be control of when they want to take the second powerplay of two overs where an extra fielder outside the 30-yard circle will be available to them in addition to two as per the current powerplay rule.
"[In] the powerplay of six overs with field restrictions, only two fielders are allowed outside the ring. Let the first four overs be batters' powerplay with the same field restrictions, and post that, the remaining two powerplay overs should be determined by the fielding captain as and when he wants to take. Those two consecutive overs will also get one fielder extra outside the ring at any stage of the game," said the ‘Master Blaster’.
"So you [the fielding side] are able to control the game better."
5th bowler for best bowler
In addition, he wants the team's best bowler to play a bigger role. He has advocated for an additional bowler to one of the bowlers of each team. He feels that a team's best bowler should be allowed to bowl a maximum of five overs in a T20 game.
"One bowler should be allowed to bowl five overs. Because invariably the best bowler of the side is going to bowl that fifth over. Wouldn't you want to see that best bowler bowl more? The top batters are batting sometimes even 20 overs. Why shouldn't the best bowler be bowling five overs?" the 53-year-old asked.
Will BCCI make the proposed changes?
The impact player rule is here to stay at least for one more season before the mega auction. It will be interesting to see if the BCCI and IPL governing council are open to making bold calls in favour of the bowlers in the age of slam-bang T20 cricket where batters have pushed the boundaries.